Australia head North in must-win second Test

Australia’s bowlers build on century by Marcus North as the tourists seize control of the final Test against India.


Afp October 11, 2010

BANGALORE: Australia’s bowlers built on a century by Marcus North as the tourists seized control of the second and final Test against India.

The tourists rode on left-hander North’s 128 to pile up 478 in their first innings before they were all out at the stroke of tea on the second day. Australia then silenced the estimated 22,000 home fans by removing Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid in the space of one run, before India recovered to end the day on 128 for two.

Sehwag smashed a typically robust 30 off 28 balls, including a six over third-man off Mitchell Johnson, before he was caught at deep square-leg off Ben Hilfenhaus. Dravid edged a catch off Johnson to reduce India to 38 for two, but Sachin Tendulkar and Murali Vijay retreived the situation by adding 90 for the unbroken third wicket.

Tendulkar was unbeaten on a fluent 44, having extended his world record tally to 14,017 runs as Vijay kept him company on 42.

Earlier North and wicket-keeper Tim Paine (59) added 149 for the sixth wicket to boost the total as the tourists chase a series-levelling win after losing the dramatic Mohali Test by one wicket.

Left-handed North, battling to save his place in the team after averaging just seven runs in his last six Tests, returned to timely form with his fifth Test century. He hit 17 boundaries and a six before he was caught in the deep off Harbhajan Singh, who finished as India’s most successful bowler with four for 148.

Paine, who made 92 in the first Test in Mohali, continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers with his second successive half-century.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2010.

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